Philadelphia COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund Deadline extended to April 15

The City and PIDC announced that the deadline for micro-businesses to submit applications for funding from the Philadelphia COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund is before midnight on Wednesday, April 15. The Relief Fund, which launched on March 23 with approximately $9.25 million, has received over 6,000 applications from businesses seeking more than $82 million in aid. An additional $2.9 million has been secured for the Relief Fund, bringing the total to more than $12.1 million to disburse to local businesses impacted by COVID-19. The additional $2.9 million includes generous donations from the Knight Foundation, Citizens Bank, and PNC Bank, as well as repurposed funding from PIDC and the City. Up to 1,000 local businesses are expected to receive awards. Information regarding other local and national resources for businesses can be found here. Businesses are encouraged to apply for assistance from the new Federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which aims to provide relief to millions of small businesses. Learn more about PPP and other federal programs, including how to apply.

Arts Funding: The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (OACCE), the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance (GPCA), and the Philadelphia Cultural Fund (PCF) announced the creation of COVID-19 Arts Aid PHL, a new emergency support fund focused on the arts and culture sector in the Philadelphia region. COVID-19 Arts Aid PHL will support individual artists as well as small arts and culture organizations (annual budgets no greater than $250,000) and mid-sized organizations (annual budgets of $250,000 – $15 million) whose operations, work, and livelihood have been deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 Arts Aid PHL launched with $3.45 million in support, led by a $2.5 million grant from the William Penn Foundation. A portal for online donations is now open at donate.artsaidphl.org.

WXPN created a new Music Community Relief Fund aimed at supporting local and regional artists, venues, and related workers. WXPN has committed $25,000 for the continuation of the micro-grant program launched last month by Philly Music Fest founders Greg and Jennifer Seltzer that has already distributed more than 90 $250 micro-grants to artists. Their donation will allow another 100 recipients to receive funds to help pay for food, rent, utilities, or any other expenses that may be challenging to pay at this time, due to lack of employment.